Page 12 of The Miracle of Love
“No, they won’t allow it. I passed by it before coming here. The place has been ransacked, walls broken through in search of hidden loot. The servants are all gone. It is not feasible, Grace.”
“But what if these agents harm your family?”
“They won’t.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“Because they are highly trained, and my family is not their target. Besides, they know I will hunt them down ruthlessly if they harm any of my kin. I am a man to be feared.”
“Should I fear you?”
“No, Grace. I am going to protect you. And I agree, it is better you not remain here. We’ll come up with a plan tomorrow.”
“All right. I give you my promise, I will do everything in my power to see your family is unharmed.”
He laughed lightly.
“Why are you laughing at me?”
“I’m laughing at myself.”
“Why?”
“Because I think my nefarious brother and his matchmaking wife putThe Book of Lovein here on purpose.”
“Rafe and Auggie? Why would they do such a thing? To what end?”
“Is it not obvious, Grace? It is their not so subtle way of telling me it is time I married.” He emitted a low, throaty chuckle. “Would it not be the grandest jest if I were to marry you?”
Chapter Three
“Marry me? Yes,that is a hilarious notion. I suppose you think yourself quite the wit. I can see you holding your sides as you roll on the floor in stitches of laughter,” Grace said, her wounded look unmistakable as she sat up in bed and stared at him with anguished eyes. “But I do not appreciate the jest at my expense. What makes you think I would ever consider marrying you? The very idea! It is idiotic. You are the last man I would ever marry.”
“Is that so?” Deklan tried to keep the irritation out of his voice as he settled on his pallet, his hopes of a peaceful night’s rest now dashed. He had not meant to belittle or insult her, and perhaps laughing heartily as he tossed the remark was in poor form. But he was merely commenting on his own reluctance to marry and his family’s obvious schemes to bring his bachelor days to an end.
As for her, she was a beautiful girl. In time, once the Montford family scandal died down, some man would come forward and offer to marry her.
He had meant no harm by his comment, so why was she getting all worked up about it?
The last man she would ever marry? He was a catch. Women adored him.
Even she was attracted to him.
Oh, yes. The little innocent liked him even though she would never admit it to him or to herself.
He supposed he ought to let the matter drop since he was not in the market for a bride and was not about to propose to her, or anyone else, for that matter. He was here to find the crown and protect her while doing so, nothing more.
Was he not behaving like a gentleman and leaving her alone in that massive bed meant to be shared by two? So why was she so overset and kicking him in the teeth?
He was not trying to be cruel.
He liked her.
If ever he found himself ready to marry, she would be among his list of candidates. The girl was beautiful and sweet, even if she was tossing daggers at him at the moment.
But she was also tossing them at herself, beating herself down so badly it made his own heart hurt. He could not be angry with her because she had been through a rough few months since her family’s downfall.
In truth, the ordeal would have worn down the hardiest souls.
